It's now 2022-Can we safely discuss the Governor?

[Shrek Of The Arctic]

I just ordered a Governor. It has been...a real treat researching these things. Opinions ssem to vary from folks who think it's all the power of a goose gun in the palm of their hand, and the need for marksmanship has been reduced to a mere suggestion to those who swear any .410 load would merely tickle a hardened criminal, As well as those who seem to opine that a .45 Colt fired from a Model 25 is the hammer of Thor while a .45 Colt fired from a Governor is laughably weak and impotent. I'm thinkin' there are alot of folks around there wrapped around the shotgun shells and overlooking the .45 cartridges, whether in favor of or against the concept.

As for me, and what I see in it...

It's a quality double action .45 Colt or ACP with a night sight for less than $1K.

It's...really very ugly. I've always been one to gather up the waif, the stray, and the runt of the litter.

I think of it as a multi tool for the gun safe and ammo locker. I doubt it will do any particular thing well, but it should do most of what I'd like it to do acceptably.

I doubt it will ever see much in the way of a .410 shell, unless I decide to shoot at ptarmigan or porcupine within 10 feet, or decide shooting empty beer cans with it would be classier than smashing them against my forehead.

I look forward to loading up some of the Lehigh maximum expansion bullets that will only fit in the .410 revolvers. Look forward to playing with different cartridge lengths in general to see what can be squeezed out of it accuracy wise.

It seems to me a decent fishing gun. Keep it loaded with some legit .45 Colt out around people and the docks, and perhaps keep some .410 shotshells to take the fight out of the bigger, fiestier halibut we catch.

It seems much debate shrouds the shotshell revolver concept.

I believe it's true that many people buy these style guns with overly heightened expectations due to ignorance and slick salesmanship.

I think it's natural that these are not often recommended for self protection. Revolvers themselves are hardly recommended anymore, and there ain't no one standing up for an ugly, bulky revolver.

My personal protection pieces tend to be wheelguns. This one wouldn't be my first choice, but I do believe it will do it's part if I do my part.

I'm not sure if it'll be a flash in the pan, or stick around, but after reading so much passionate and vigorous debate, I figured I had to try one.

I'd love to hear y'alls thoughts and experiences!

 

[sigp220.45]

I don’t have one, but I want one.

I want to post 15 pictures of it, and extol its virtues, and then sit back and count the harrumphs from our resident curmudgeons who still have rabbit ear antennaes with aluminum foil twisted around them on top of their TVs.

I think its a great concept, and the Governor is the best looking execution of the concept.

Please post a range report!

 

[Sevens]

I love all the thought and obvious passion you’ve put in to this decision. With that right there, I’m forced to hate it less.

At this point in life with the sheer number of handguns I’ve got, I could never see myself chasing something with so many strikes against it. My list of those strikes includes that it is new/current S&W, that it’s seriously homely and for sure the one part you detailed exceptionally is a huge strike: “I doubt it will do any particular thing well“

Guilty that I took your quote a bit out of context when I clipped it. But I’d rather spend three times the dough to get three different guns that each does something well rather than buy a goof that just gives it a try.

 

[Telecaster]

They say a camel is a horse designed by a committee. I might substitute “Model 66” for horse and “Governor” for camel, but hey - people in the Middle East love their camels.

I know some people buy them thinking it’s a mini shotgun, then stick it in a drawer and never find out if it’s just like a shotgun or does it just tickle a bad guy. So it’s Schrodinger’s Shotgun. It simultaneously works great for defense, and doesn’t.

 

[Rpg]

Curmudgeon here:

It’s too big and bulky for my purposes.

 

[JMalone]

I don’t have a Governor, but I do have a Judge that was purchased befor I saw a Governor. It’s a great camp gun. In a chest rig it’s great while kayaking and canoeing in case you have a venomous serpent who gets uncomfortably close. Chipmunks around the camper won’t be chewing wires anymore. If I were in bear country (which I’m not) 45lc beats a sharp stick. And it does land the cowboy loads behind the front site reliability.
Buckshot at close range would be effective. And while at a public campground should somebody attempt a late night entry I’m not nearly as worried about blasting kids sleeping in the next camper since it’s loaded with copper plated 5 shot in this role.
I’ve wasted boxes of 410 shells trying to break clay pigeons. Only breaking a few from the first station or number seven on a skeet range. But the attempt were fun.
The Governor being able to shoot 45acp appeals to me even more.
But to tell the truth I’d really rather have one with a smooth bore and a six inch barrel, and would be more than willing to give up the ability to shoot pistol cartridges out of it. A smooth bore would make it function with shot shells way better than it does, and sure would be fun around the farm.

 

[22hipower]

I think you've identified most of the pros and cons. Didn't think I'd ever own one but now wonder why I hadn't bought one years ago. For the ranch it is very hard to beat and I've tried everything else from .22LR to 44 Mags. Load three 410s and three 45 Colts and you're ready for just about anything. It's not a 10 gauge goose gun but I've killed skunks at a measured 15 yards with 7.5 shot and the 410 is much more effective than any 357/44/45 shot load.

Yes, homely and sort of big but really not all that big and at 29 ounces it weighs less than my handier 696 at 35 ounces and has one more hole in the cylinder.

Its the gun I carry almost all the time during snake season, and here in Texas it is almost always snake season. Enjoy yours.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[ColbyBruce]

“I believe it's true that many people buy these style guns with overly heightened expectations due to ignorance and slick salesmanship.”

This is certainly true in our NE GA mountain community. Most every retired couple up here has a Judge or Governor-if not one of each. There is a man named James at the Ace Hardware here that sells these firearms to many a first time gun owner.

Firearms are like screwdrivers, one will not fulfill every need. People exist who think differently than I do, and thus a Judge or Governor suits their needs just fine.

I don’t find fault with my neighbor’s choices and only offer my opinion if I am asked. If asked, I do attempt to persuade them to at least broaden their search and look at other types of guns and calibers.

 

[Beemerguy53]

I never considered buying a Governor...until the day I checked out the For Sale pages here and saw one, NIB with a tritium front sight, that had just been listed for about half the MSRP at the time. I couldn't type "I'll take it!" fast enough, if only because it was such a great bargain. (Turned out the seller had won it in a raffle and didn't want it.)

I have fired only shotshells through mine. It's controllable and shoots decent groups at reasonable (across a room) ranges. I wouldn't carry it for self-defense on the street, but I think it would do fine as a home defense gun, especially in places where over-penetration through walls is a consideration.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

It and the Judge are worthless noise makers..........I can load the same equivelant load in a 44 mag or 45LC hull for all the good it does.......Been there done that........I do load/shoot 410's in several shotguns. A 410 pistol is just a gimmick.

 

[Sam McCord]

It and the Judge are worthless noise makers..........I can load the same equivelant load in a 44 mag or 45LC hull for all the good it does.......Been there done that........I do load/shoot 410's in several shotguns. A 410 pistol is just a gimmick.

I too load my own shot shells for 44 Mag and 45 Colt. Many people don't reload and I think the Governor is fine for them . A shot shell out of any handgun isn't anything to write home about but I have killed copperheads around the old homeplace in MO with Speer shot capsules loaded in pistol calibers. More power to you OP and I bet you enjoy it!

 

[PeterJ]

I really wouldn’t have bought my Judge, but I won it at a gun raffle for 2 dollars. I keep it handy in the house for home defense and don’t believe that any intruder would laugh at 3 loads of 410 buckshot followed by 2 rounds of 45 Colt. One thing about the gun that no one seems to mention is that it has one of the nicest triggers of any gun I own,,, including my 686’s.

 

[chief38]

I've always disliked the Governor/Judge concept. They (and clones) are just too big, heavy and impractical for EDC, IMO. The ONLY purpose I can see it for is if you wanted to keep one loaded with Snake Shot and handy where poisonous snakes are an every day occurrence. Other than that - I find it sort of useless, cumbersome and would not be interested in one - but that's just me. YMMV!

 

[ladder13]

I don’t have one, but I want one.

I want to post 15 pictures of it, and extol its virtues, and then sit back and count the harrumphs from our resident curmudgeons who still have rabbit ear antennaes with aluminum foil twisted around them on top of their TVs.

I think its a great concept, and the Governor is the best looking execution of the concept.

Please post a range report!

You can save the pictures.

 

[kamloops67]

Interesting gun , I’m glad they are available for those that want one
I’d rather have the “hammer of Thor”, the 45 colt 625 you mentioned .

 

[Pisgah]

I won't argue with anyone's choice of gun. But for me, the Governor is one of those "Answer to a question no one asked" things. Other than being able to fire projectiles, it does nothing that a more concealable, lighter, and more accurate -- but just as powerful -- handgun could do, and it looks weird in the bargain. I have successfully avoided buying one in the past, and see no reason for that to change in the future.

 

[jcelect]

Seen this yesterday and didn't open it! I thought it was going to be a political thread and I did not want to see the carnage!
jcelect

 

[Muss Muggins]

I’ve had one since they came out, and they’re a right fine pistol as far as I’m concerned. There are now some very interesting SD .410 loads, and the ability to fire both .45 Colt and .45 ACP are just bonuses . . .

 

[22hipower]

It and the Judge are worthless noise makers..........I can load the same equivelant load in a 44 mag or 45LC hull for all the good it does.......Been there done that........I do load/shoot 410's in several shotguns. A 410 pistol is just a gimmick.

Not to argue but I'm curious, how do you get a half ounce of shot in a 45LC shot capsule? Have you compared the pattern of shot from a 44/45 four or six inch barrel with the pattern from a 2.5 inch lightly rifled Governor? The deep rifling and longer barrel in my experience spins the shot shell load and spreads rapidly. Less so in the shorter Governor with light rifling making for much tighter patterns at greater distances. As mentioned above, I've killed skunks at 15 yards with the Governor 410 loads, don't think I could do that with the 44/45 shot loads I use to use.

Another factor I think 410 loads, while more effective, are also less expensive. Certainly less expensive than the CCI factory shot loads and given the cost of capsules ($10 or so for 25) factory 410s may be less expensive than making our own 44/45 shot loads.

Just curious as to your approach.

Jeff
SWCa #1457

 

[Shrek Of The Arctic]

More thoughts as of this morning...

Some folks have posted different concerns worth considering.

As far as carry, I really don't see myself using it as a regular carry gun, unless I really fall in love with those LeHigh maximum expansion rounds, but on the overall...I'd almost be embarassed to be seen carrying one. That being said, I do consider it likely viable for concealed carry. I wore a 625 Mountain Gun (Hammer of Thor edition) daily for five years straight. Though I rarely carry it these days for various reasons, every time I strap it on, I still feel like I'm shaking hands with an old friend.

I do see this as a great truck gun (stored in a vehicle safe) for various emergencies...or emergency plinking sessions...

I totally get the folks that aren't buying the Swiss Army revolver perspective. A multi tool can skin an elk, fix a fence, adjust a carburetor, and open a can of beans, and a beer bottle at the close of the night, but it's hardly the best suited job for any of those tasks. In the meantime, the guy running miles of fencing can't be blamed for preferring his by God designated fencing pliers, and the mechanic is only sensible for wanting his authentic Snap On screwdriver, and the butcher his large fixed blade knife. Whether by necessity or preference, I understand and respect folks on the other side of that thought process.

It does occur to me that if a guy is really that hellbent to shoot ACP and Colt out of the same revolver, it's alot cheaper to just cut a 25 or 625 for moon clips, and ya' still have a pretty gun to boot.

Ugliness...Like I said earlier, I often times dig ugly and weird. But...sometimes only to a point. This one could end up being the wrong kind of ugly. I'm still debating grips and holsters. Do I try to add some pretty, or just maximize the ugly while whistling and chortling with glee? I do giggle at "REEE!!" From some folks..

Maybe I could cut it for a red dot?

I ponder the price point of these. It's the only centerfire scandium revolver I know of for under $1K. I'm almost considering the notion that the whole .410 craze has died down, and now S&W is just limping the old Z frame along at what they can get for it, while we hardly think twice about the significantly higher prices paid for a similarly equipped much more attractive 325. I've often wished S&W wasn't so hellbent to accomodate people wanting to stuff squirrel hunting rounds in a revolver and would release an unobtainium .45 Colt/ ACP.

Thankfully, snakes are hardly a blip on my radar. I long ago traded Georgia water mocassins, copperheads, and rattlers for polar, brown, and black bears. It was a darn good trade. I like to think of traveling to Arizona and Texas more. Maybe carry it down there? Not super likely, but...possible...

Speaking of bears...since it shoots .45 ACP with like...a 21,000 PSI, would it be safe to run limited .45 Colt at that? NOT the maxed out Ruger/Freedom Arms loads, just...more of a warm...a 300 grain hardcast at 900 fps or so and a seriously limited diet. At first blush, it looks like a person could get 300 grain cast to 750 or so FPS at 14K PSI, so...I think there may be room to work with that idea. On the other hand, I've been handloading for two decades without a kaboom. I'd hate to start now by pushing a questionable envelope. Also, there is POA/POI to consider with them fixed sights...

I'm curious about how the accuracy will shake out. Can I find a magic handload for it? Will there be a significant difference from other revolvers in my standing broken body and my shaking hands? We shall soon see...

Lest I be mistaken for attempting to host a treatise regarding why this is gonna be the greatest thing ever, and all doubts are simply wrong, I am an insatiable trader. This one is actually a bit impulsive for me so...I might get rid of it on day one...Or it might become a favorite. I do enjoy those times when I discover an odd purchase to be a great one.

But...I'm still willing to concede that this thing could be a really stupid idea on my behalf.